“West Ham United can confirm the departure of James Collins has concluded the club’s business during the transfer window.

Attempts were made on Tuesday to finalise negotiations for another forward to complement the existing attack that already boasts England striker Carlton Cole and was boosted further by Alessandro Diamanti’s arrival from AS Livorno Calcio on Friday. Terms were agreed with the selling club but the player was unwilling to join.

Gianluca Nani and Gianfranco Zola are now discussing the possibility of an out of contract striker joining the club, who has been tracked in the past month.

Collins joined Aston Villa on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee after passing a medical on Tuesday afternoon. The Wales defender leaves the Boleyn Ground after four years at the club, during which time the 26-year-old made 65 league and cup appearances, scoring twice.

With Matthew Upson, James Tomkins, Danny Gabbidon, Jonathan Spector and Radoslav Kovac, a permanent signing from Spartak Moscow, already at the club, plus Manuel Da Costa arriving from ACF Fiorentina, the manager has good options at centre-back. The other new recruits this summer have been goalkeeper Peter Kurucz, left-backs Fabio Daprela and Herita Ilunga and the attacking midfielder Luis Jimenez as well as striker Alessandro Diamanti.”